Abstract: Softening kinetics of two 17% chromium (Cr) stainless steel grades that differ in niobium
(Nb) content are compared. In the experiments, we observed that a low Nb stabilization makes
recrystallization nucleation much faster and prevents incomplete recrystallization. A qualitative
interpretation, based on interaction with precipitates, is proposed and explains the main features of
the softening kinetics as well as the microstructures obtained. For the Nb stabilized grade, magnetic
losses were measured in the deformed state and after recrystallization. Above a specific
magnetizing frequency, the deformed state led to smaller losses than the recrystallized state. These
results are believed to be attributed to a grain size effect.